Apparatus and method for providing subscriber identity module (SIM) application toolkit service in mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for providing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Application Toolkit (SAT) service in a mobile communication system is provided. The mobile communication system includes a toolkit management server and a mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal includes a SIM card having a connection command for the toolkit management server.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to an applicationfiled in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 5, 2007, andassigned Serial No. 2007-0067481, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method forproviding a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Application Toolkit (SAT)service in a mobile communication system, and in particular, to anapparatus and method for providing an SAT service in a mobilecommunication system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, an SAT refers to a series of commands and procedures forproviding a specific service of a network operator to users of mobilecommunication terminals. The SAT functions as an interface for mutualcommunication between a SIM and Mobile Equipment (ME) (i.e., a mobilecommunication terminal minus the SIM).

An SAT service can be provided only when both the SIM and the ME supportthe SAT. In an SAT session, the SIM transmits a processing command tothe ME to start communication with a user of a mobile communicationterminal. As defined in the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)Technical Specification (TS) 31.111 Universal Subscriber Identity Module(USIM) Application Toolkit (USAT), 3GPP TS 11.14 Specification of theSIM Application Toolkit for the Subscriber Identity Module-MobileEquipment (SIM-ME) Interface, commands for operating the SAT include aproactive command directed from the SIM to the ME and an envelopecommand directed from the ME to the SIM.

The proactive command includes Display Text, Get Inkey, Get Input, MoreTime, Play Tone, Poll Interval, Refresh, Set Up Menu, Select Item, SendShort Message (SM), Send Supplementary Service (SS), Send UnstructuredSupplementary Service Data (USSD), Set Up Call, Polling Off, ProvideLocal Information, Set Up Even List, Perform Card Application ProtocolData Unit (APDU), Power Off Card, Power On Card, Get Reader Status,Timer Management, Set Up Idle Mode Text, Run At Command, Send Dual ToneMulti-Frequency (DTMF), Language Notification, Launch Browser, OpenChannel, Close Channel, Send Data, Get Channel Status, Service Search,Get Service Information, and Declare Service. The envelope commandincludes Data download to SIM, Menu Selection, Call Control by SIM,Timer Expiration, and Event Download.

Service providers combine such commands with each other andtransmit/receive the combined commands through a Short Message Service(SMS) to provide specific information services. Service providersusually develop their own specific services such as connection of a callto a specific service number through the combination of the commands toprovide SIM applications.

A conventional terminal can only provide a built-in SAT serviceimplemented in advance by a service provider through an SAT for aspecified service in a SIM. Accordingly, user of the mobilecommunication terminal can only select an SAT menu provided in theterminal and request a specified service such as weather information andtraffic information, by sending a text message through the SAT menu orby using the calling function of the mobile communication terminal.

Diverse SAT services are being developed according to the demand ofusers and the development of terminals. However, the storage space of aSIM card is not large enough to store the diverse SAT services.

Information required for detecting the results of an SAT service may berequested using a Short Message Service (SMS) message or a MultimediaMessaging System (MMS) message. In this case, a mobile communicationterminal must be allocated a channel for the SMS message or the MMSmessage, which may cause frequent requests for radio resources.

Result information generated during an SAT service may be received usingan SMS message or an MMS message. In this case, a mobile communicationterminal must terminate an SAT service mode and switch to a mode fordetecting the SMS message or the MMS message, which causes aninconvenience to the user.

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) has been introduced tosupport a provider-defined service, which is used to transmitinformation or specific commands from a GSM (Global System for Mobilecommunications) network.

There are a variety of SSs (Supplementary Services) in the GSM, whichcan be operated using a series of strings. Examples of the serviceoperation using a series of strings include serviceactivation/deactivation and interrogation. Input strings are specifiedin the GSM standards, which are interpreted by a mobile communicationterminal prior to transmission to the network.

In the case of the USSD, if a string is input by a user, a mobilecommunication terminal fails to interpret the input string and transmitsthe corresponding data to the network. The mobile communication terminalreceives information from the network and displays the receivedinformation. A command can be transmitted from the mobile communicationterminal to the network, which enables communication with the GSMnetwork.

The data transmission rate of the USSD service is up to about 7 timeshigher than that of the SMS. Both the SMS and the USSD use a signalingchannel. The SMS allocates one channel to each message. However, theUSSD is session-oriented and the connection is maintained until it isterminated by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesbelow. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method for providing diverse SAT services according to thedemand of users and the development of terminals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod for providing an SAT service without frequent allocation of radioresources.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusand method for detecting the performance results of an SAT servicewithout termination of the SAT service.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a mobile communicationsystem for providing an SAT service includes a toolkit management serverand a mobile communication terminal. The toolkit management serverstores SAT services, transmits a menu of available SAT services at therequest of a mobile communication terminal, performs a selected SATservice, and transmits the performance results of the selected SATservice to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communicationterminal includes a SIM card having a connection command for the toolkitmanagement server. The mobile communication terminal displays a menu ofSAT services that can be provided by the toolkit management server byconnecting to the toolkit management server upon detection of an SATservice request from a user. When a desired SAT service is selected fromthe menu by the user, the mobile communication terminal transmits theselected SAT service to the toolkit management server, receives theperformance results of the selected SAT service from the toolkitmanagement server, and displays the received performance results.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobilecommunication terminal for providing an SAT service includes a SIM cardhaving a connection command for a toolkit management server; aconnection manager for detecting an SAT service request, receiving theconnection command from the SIM card, and setting a connection with thetoolkit management server; and a service processor for receiving a menumessage including a menu of available SAT services from the toolkitmanagement server, and displaying the menu of the received menu message.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a toolkitmanagement server for providing an SAT service includes an applicationstorage unit for storing diverse applications for an SAT service; aconnection manager for connecting communication with a mobilecommunication terminal at a communication connection request; and aservice manager for generating a menu message including a menu ofavailable SAT services by searching the application storage after thecommunication connection with the mobile communication terminal, andtransmitting the generated menu message to the mobile communicationterminal.

According to even another aspect of the present invention, a method forproviding an SAT service in a mobile communication terminal includesdetecting an SAT service request and connecting communication with atoolkit management server according to a connection command for thetoolkit management server stored in a SIM card; receiving a menu messageincluding a menu of available SAT services from the toolkit managementserver; and displaying the menu included in the received menu message.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method forproviding an SAT service in a toolkit management server includesconnecting communication with a mobile communication terminal at acommunication connection request; searching available SAT services afterthe communication connection with the mobile communication terminal; andgenerating a menu message including a menu of the available SAT servicesand transmitting the generated menu message to the mobile communicationterminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a message flow between a SIM card, amobile communication terminal, and a toolkit management server accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an SAT service providing apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing an SATservice in the mobile communication terminal according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing an SATservice in the toolkit management server according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

The present invention is to provide an apparatus and method forproviding an SIM Application Toolkit (SAT) service in a mobilecommunication system, in which a toolkit management server performs anSAT service and transmits the results thereof to a mobile communicationterminal so that the mobile communication terminal can operate as abrowser. The toolkit management server stores and manages SATs. Also,the toolkit management server performs a service requested by a mobilecommunication terminal and transmits the results of the service to themobile communication terminal. The toolkit management server and themobile communication terminal transmit/receive messages using anUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a message flow between a SIM card, amobile communication terminal, and a toolkit management server accordingto the present invention.

Upon receipt of a request for an SAT service, a mobile communicationterminal 100 transmits an SAT service request message M01 (a beacon USSDmessage) to a SIM card 110. Upon receipt of the SAT service requestmessage M01, the SIM card 110 transmits a server connection commandmessage M02 to the mobile communication terminal 100, which is a kind ofproactive command used for transmission from a SIM card to a mobilecommunication terminal.

Upon receipt of the server connection command message M02, the mobilecommunication terminal 100 transmits a USSD connection request messageM03 to a toolkit management server 150 providing an SAT service andtransmits a command response message M04 to the SIM card 110. The USSDconnection request message M03 is to request USSD session connectionwith the toolkit management server 150 to receive a USSD service. Thecommand response message M04 is to inform that a command correspondingto the SAT service request message M01 has been executed normally.

Thereafter, upon receipt of a USSD registration message M05 from thetoolkit management server 150, the mobile communication terminal 100performs USSD session connection with the toolkit management server 150.The USSD registration message M05 includes information necessary forUSSD session connection. If the USSD session connection is successful,the mobile communication terminal 100 transmits a USSD registrationresponse message M6 to the toolkit management server 150. If the USSDsession connection has failed or has been cancelled by the user, themobile communication terminal 100 transmits a USSD registration failuremessage (facility return error, reject by user) to the toolkitmanagement server 150.

Thereafter, upon receipt of a menu message M07 (a USSD menu systemmessage) from the toolkit management server 150, the mobilecommunication terminal 100 transmits a selection message M08 (a USSDmenu system message return result) to the toolkit management server 150.The menu message M07 includes menu information of SAT services, and theselection message M08 includes information of an SAT service selected bythe user from a menu included in the menu message M07.

Upon receipt of the selection message M08, the toolkit management server150 performs the selected SAT service and transmits a result message M09(a USSD text request message) to the mobile communication terminal 100.The result message M09 includes the performance results of the SATservice. If supplementary SAT services requiring additional selectionare generated by the performance of the selected SAT service, thetoolkit management server 150 generates and transmits a new menu messageM07 to the mobile communication terminal 100. The new menu message M07includes information of the supplementary SAT services.

If the mobile communication terminal 100 receives the result message M09after transmission of the selection message M08, the mobilecommunication terminal 100 outputs the SAT service performance resultsincluded in the result message M09. However, if the mobile communicationterminal 100 receives the new menu message M07 including the informationof the supplementary SAT services, the mobile communication terminal 100again generates and transmits the selection message M08, which includesan SAT service selected by the user, to the toolkit management server150.

The formats of the messages between the mobile communication terminal100 and the toolkit management server 150 are specified in ETSI EN 300957, that is the standard specification of the USSD.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an SAT service providing apparatusaccording to the present invention.

The SAT providing apparatus includes a mobile communication terminal 100and a toolkit management server 150.

The mobile communication terminal 100 includes a SIM card 110, acontroller 202, an input unit 204, a display unit 206, a communicationmodule 208, a connection manager 212, and a service processor 214.

The input unit 204 includes a keypad (not shown) to provide user data tothe controller 202. The keypad may include, but is not limited to,numeric keys of digits 0-9 and a plurality of function keys, such as aMenu key, a Cancel (delete) key, a confirmation key, a talk key, an endkey, an Internet connection key, and navigation keys (▴/▾/

/

).

The display unit 206 displays a predetermined number of numerals andcharacters, moving pictures, still pictures, and status information (orindicator) generated during the operation of the mobile communicationterminal 100. The display unit 206 may be a color Liquid Crystal Display(LCD). According to the present invention, the display unit 206 displaysan SAT service menu and the performance results of an SAT service underthe control of the controller 202.

The communication module 208 receives a Radio-Frequency (RF) signalthrough an antenna and performs down-conversion, despreading, andchannel decoding on the received RF signal. Also, the communicationmodule 208 performs channel coding, spreading, and up-conversion on TXdata and transmits the resulting data through the antenna. In addition,the communication module 208 transmits/receives messages for the USSDsession connection and the USSD service according to the presentinvention.

Upon detection of an SAT service request from the user, the connectionmanager 212 transmits an SAT service request message M01 to the SIM card110. Upon receipt of a server connection command message M02 from theSIM card 110, the connection manager 212 transmits a USSD connectionrequest message M03 to the toolkit management server 150. The serverconnection command message M02 is to command connection to the toolkitmanagement server 150, and the USSD connection request message M03 is torequest USSD session connection. If the message has been transmittednormally, the connection manager 212 transmits a command responsemessage M04 to the SIM card 110. The command response message M04 is toinform that a command corresponding to the SAT service request messageM01 has been executed normally.

Thereafter, upon receipt of a USSD registration message M05 from thetoolkit management server 150, the connection manager 212 performs USSDsession connection with the toolkit management server 150. The USSDregistration message M05 includes information necessary for USSD sessionconnection. If the USSD session connection has been successful, theconnection manager 212 transmits a USSD registration response message M6to the toolkit management server 150. If the USSD session connection hasfailed or has been cancelled by the user, the connection manager 212transmits a USSD registration failure message to the toolkit managementserver 150.

Upon receipt of a menu message M07, which includes menu information ofSAT services, from the toolkit management server 150, the serviceprocessor 214 displays the included menu information on the display unit206. When an SAT service is selected from the menu through the inputunit 204, the service processor 214 transmits a selection message M08 tothe toolkit management server 150. The selection message M08 includesinformation of the selected SAT service. Upon receipt of a resultmessage M09 including the performance results of the selected SATservice, the service processor 214 displays the SAT service performanceresults on the display unit 206.

The SIM card 110 stores phone numbers, phone number charge, and userdata. Upon receipt of the SAT service request, the SIM card 110transmits the server connection command message M02 to the connectionmanager 212.

The controller 202 controls an overall operation of the mobilecommunication terminal 100. The controller 202 can control theconnection manager 212 and the service processor 214. That is, thecontroller 202 can perform the functions of the connection manager 212and the service processor 214. Although separate units are provided forrespective functions of the controller 202, the controller 202 mayperform all or some of the functions instead of such separate units.

The toolkit management server 150 includes a controller 252, acommunication module 254, an application storage unit 256, a connectionmanager 258, a service manager 260, and a service performer 262.

The communication module 254 transmits/receives messages for the USSDservice and the USSD session connection with the mobile communicationterminal 100. The application storage unit 256 stores variousapplications for an SAT service.

Upon receipt of the USSD connection request message M03 from the mobilecommunication terminal 100, the connection manager 258 generates andtransmits the USSD registration message M05 to the mobile communicationterminal 100. If the USSD registration response message M06 is receivedfrom the mobile communication terminal 100, the connection manager 258determines that the USSD session connection with the mobilecommunication terminal 100 is successful.

When the USSD session is connected, the service manager 260 detectsavailable SAT services by searching the application storage unit 256,generates the menu message M07 including the menu information, that is,information of the available SAT services, and transmits the generatedmenu message M07 to the mobile communication terminal 100. Upon receiptof the selection message M08 including information of the selected SATservice from the mobile communication terminal 100, the service manager260 provides the selected SAT service to the service performer 262.

Thereafter, the service manager 260 receives the performance results ofthe service performer 262, generates the result message M09 includingthe received performance results, and transmits the generated resultmessage M09 to the mobile communication terminal 100. If the receivedperformance results correspond to a menu of supplementary SAT servicesrequiring additional selection, the service manager 260 generates andtransmits the menu message M07 to the mobile communication terminal 100.

The service performer 262 performs the SAT service received from theservice manager 260, and provides the service performance results to theservice manager 260. The service performance results may be texts orimages requiring no more selection, or may be supplementary SAT servicesrequiring additional selection of the user.

The controller 252 controls an overall operation of the toolkitmanagement server 150. The controller 252 can control the connectionmanager 258, the service manager 260, and the service performer 262. Thecontroller 252 can perform the functions of the connection manager 258,the service manager 260, and the service performer 262. Althoughseparate units are provided for respective functions of the controller252, the controller 252 may perform all or some of the functions insteadof such separate units.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing an SATservice in the mobile communication terminal according to the presentinvention.

If the mobile communication terminal detects an SAT service request fromthe user in step 300, the procedure proceeds to step 302. In step 302,the mobile communication terminal transmits an SAT service requestmessage M01 to the SIM card to request an SAT service. In step 304, themobile communication terminal receives a server connection commandmessage M02 from the SIM card. The server connection command message M02is to command connection to a server providing an SAT service. In step306, the mobile communication terminal transmits a USSD connectionrequest message M03 to the toolkit management server. The USSDconnection request message M03 is to request USSD session connection. Instep 308, the mobile communication terminal transmits a command responsemessage M04 to the SIM card. The command response message M04 is toinform that a command corresponding the SAT service request message M01has been executed normally.

In step 310, the mobile communication terminal determines if a USSDregistration message M05 including information necessary for the USSDsession connection is received from the toolkit management server. Ifthe USSD registration message M05 is received from the toolkitmanagement server, the procedure proceeds to step 312. In step 312, themobile communication terminal performs USSD session connection with thetoolkit management server. In step 314, the mobile communicationterminal transmits a USSD registration response message M06 to thetoolkit management server. The USSD registration response message M06 isto inform that the USSD session connection is successful.

In step 316, the mobile communication terminal determines if a menumessage M07 is received. The menu message M07 includes a menu, that is,a set of SAT services provided by the toolkit management server. If themenu message M07 is received, procedure proceeds to step 318. In step318, the mobile communication terminal displays the menu included in themenu message M07. In step 320, the mobile communication terminalgenerates and transmits a selection message M08 to the toolkitmanagement server. The selection message M08 includes information of anSAT service selected by the user. In step 322, the mobile communicationterminal determines whether a result message M09 is received from thetoolkit management server. If the result message M09 is received, theprocedure proceeds to step 324; and if not the result message M09 butthe menu message M07 including menu information of supplementary SATservices is received, the procedure returns to step 316.

In step 324, the mobile communication terminal displays the SAT serviceperformance results included in the result message M09. Thereafter, theprocedure is ended.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing an SATservice in the toolkit management server according to the presentinvention.

If the toolkit management server receives a USSD connection requestmessage M03 from the mobile communication terminal in step 400, theprocedure proceeds to step 402. In step 402, the toolkit managementserver generates and transmits a USSD registration message M05 to themobile communication terminal. The USSD registration message M05includes information necessary for USSD session connection. In step 404,the toolkit management server determines if a USSD registration responsemessage M06 is received from the mobile communication terminal. If theUSSD registration response message M06 is received from the mobilecommunication terminal, the procedure proceeds to step 406 (the toolkitmanagement server determines that the USSD session connection with themobile communication terminal has been successful).

In step 406, the toolkit management server transmits a menu message M07to the mobile communication terminal. The menu message M07 includes menuinformation, that is, information of available SAT services. In step408, the toolkit management server determines if a selection message M08is received from the mobile communication terminal. The selectionmessage M08 includes an SAT service selected by the user. In step 410,the toolkit management server performs the selected SAT service. In step412, the toolkit management server determines if a menu of supplementarySAT services is generated by the performance of the selected SATservice. If the menu of the supplementary SAT services is not generated,the procedure proceeds to step 414; and if the menu of the supplementarySAT services is generated, the procedure returns to step 406 to generatea menu message M07 including the menu of the supplementary SAT services.

In step 414, the toolkit management server generates and transmits aresult message M09 to the mobile communication terminal. The resultmessage M09 includes the SAT service performance results such as textsor images. Thereafter, the procedure is ended.

As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus andmethod for providing an SAT service in a mobile communication system, inwhich a toolkit management server performs an SAT service and transmitsthe results thereof to a mobile communication terminal so that themobile communication terminal can operate as a browser. Therefore, avariety of SAT services can be provided and several SIM services can beprovided by one-time allocation of radio resources. Also, theperformance results of an SAT service can be detected withouttermination of the SAT service.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM) Application Toolkit (SAT) service at a mobile terminal, themethod comprising: transmitting, in response to a SAT service request, aSAT service request message to a SIM card; receiving a server connectioncommand message from the SIM card; transmitting a connection requestmessage to a toolkit management server; performing, when a registrationmessage is received from the toolkit management server, a sessionconnection with the toolkit management server; displaying, when a menumessage including a menu of SAT services is received from the toolkitmanagement server, the menu: generating a selection message includinginformation of a SAT service selected by a user; transmitting theselection message to the toolkit management server; and displayingperformance results of the selected SAT service, when a result messageis received from the toolkit management server.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the server connection command message is configured tocommand connection to a server providing the SAT service.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the connection request message is a USSD connectionrequest message.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting a command response message to the SIM card, wherein thecommand response message indicates that a command corresponding to theSAT service request message has been executed.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the registration message includes information for a USSD sessionconnection.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting aregistration response message to the toolkit management server, whereinthe registration response message indicates that the session connectionis successful.
 7. A mobile terminal for providing a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM) Application Toolkit (SAT) service, the terminal comprising:a SIM card; a connection manager configured to transmit, in response toa SAT service request, a SAT service request message to the SIM card,receive a server connection command message from the SIM card, transmita connection request message to a toolkit management server, andperform, when a registration message is received from the toolkitmanagement server, a session connection with the toolkit managementserver; a display unit configured to display, when a menu messageincluding a menu of SAT services is received from the toolkit managementserver, the menu; and a service processor configured to generate aselection message including information of a SAT service selected by auser, transmit the selection message to the toolkit management server,and control the display unit to display performance results of theselected SAT service, when a result message is received from the toolkitmanagement server.
 8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the serverconnection command message is configured to command connection to aserver providing the SAT service.
 9. The terminal of claim 7, whereinthe connection request message is a USSD connection request message. 10.The terminal of claim 7, wherein the connection manager is furtherconfigured to transmit a command response message to the SIM card, andwherein the command response message indicates that a commandcorresponding to the SAT service request message has been executed. 11.The terminal of claim 7, wherein the registration message includesinformation for a USSD session connection.
 12. The terminal of claim 7,wherein the connection manager is further configured to transmit aregistration response message to the toolkit management server, andwherein the registration response message indicates that the sessionconnection is successful.